WILLEM Drew has gone through his 56-game AFL career knowing he needs to perform to stay in Port Adelaide’s line-up and he is expecting no different in 2023.
With a host of new recruits and some exciting young talent continuing to develop, Drew says pressure for selection is a positive as the club approaches a round one encounter with Brisbane in ten days.
The 24-year-old quietly goes about his business as a midfielder dishing the ball out from under packs but is equally capable on the outside, and is often overlooked for credit by pundits in favour of some of his on-ball teammates.
But, speaking at a press conference on Wednesday, Drew talked about some of the things he is working on to grow his game, the club’s pre-season as a whole and how the side is approaching a difficult opening to the season, starting with Saturday week’s clash with the Lions at Adelaide Oval.
Willem Drew on the results from the pre-season hit-outs against Fremantle and West Coast in Perth
“Looking back and reviewing the games, our pressure and intensity wasn’t where it needs to be. That was one of the big disappointments so that’s something we have to address going into the season.
“We have to turn that around.
“We’ve reviewed both games and looked at things we can do and things that broke down in the games so we’ll implement those things and hopefully turn it around.”
Willem Drew on the pre-season as a whole
“It was a disappointing result for the games over (in Perth) against Freo and West Coast but if you look at the pre-season as a whole there are a lot of positives from our training and the way we’ve gone about our pre-season.
“The results haven’t gone our way but we’ve taken a lot of things out of the games and we’ve tried a few different things as well.
“We know the way we’ve trained and the work we’ve done, throughout the club. We didn’t get the results we wanted to and there’s no excuses for that but we’re really excited and confident for the season ahead.”
Willem Drew on the club’s difficult opening few fixtures
“We’ve definitely got a challenging start to the year ahead but we’re all excited for it and ready for the challenge.
“It’s something we’re looking forward to. We won’t shy away from it. We’ll have a red-hot crack, that’s for sure.”
Willem Drew on selection pressure and the depth of the squad
“It’s a really good thing to have. We’ve got a really healthy list and pretty much everyone can play.
“That’s what we want. It’s good for selection and it makes people need to perform.
“I’ve always got that pressure there to perform and it’s something I’ve always had to deal with so you’ve just got to keep playing good footy and keep putting your hand up and things will go your way.”
Willem Drew on what he’s been working on in the off-season
“Just being able to develop my game as a whole, and be more damaging offensively.
“Being able to get out of stoppage and use my legs – I’ve got a whole range of things to work on. I feel like I’ve worked hard in the pre-season and now it’s time to take it into games.”
Willem Drew on having never beaten Brisbane in three attempts during his career
“I was aware of that. I haven’t been able to beat Brisbane. It’ll be a great way to set our season up.
“It’ll obviously be a great challenge. They’re a super side so that’s a challenge we’re really looking forward to and over the next week we’ll be preparing ourselves as best as we can.”
